Chapter3 appendix b

Child Protective Services: Intake
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Appendix B
Substance Abuse and Child Maltreatment
Discussion
While a parent’s alcohol and/or other drug abuse presents known risks to children, the
Division of Family and Children Services recognizes and embraces the following tenets
in its approach to families struggling with substance abuse:
 Addiction has pervasive effects on the entire family and others who are
close to the addict;
 Most parents do not want to be addicted to drugs;
 Most parents do want what is best for their children and are sincere in
their desire to meet their children’s needs, but are limited in their capacity
to do so as a result of their addiction;
 The unnecessary placement of the children from the home can have long-
term effects on both children and parents because of disrupted
attachments, further exacerbating issues that contribute to addiction and
posing potential barriers to successful treatment and recovery;
 In many cases, the risks posed by a parent’s drug use can be effectively
managed while preserving the family, unless the child’s immediate safety
cannot be insured, through intensive service coordination, monitoring, and
case management between DFCS, treatment providers, and in-home
support services.
Family Preservation Programs offered by the division are Early Intervention, Prevention
of Unnecessary Placement (PUP), Homestead and Parent Aide Programs. These are
critical components of a continuum of services that may be implemented as controlling
safety interventions to effectively manage risks posed to children. Through the PUP
Program, drug assessments and drug screens can be purchased to assist the
department in its investigation. PUP can also be approved for necessary treatment
services. Homestead and Parent Aide Services can enhance the support available to
Social Services Manual Child Protective Services, Chapter 2100, Appendix B
February 1999 Page 1

families through the in-home provision of services. For a detailed discussion of the
Family Preservation Programs, see Section 2107.
With increasing awareness and understanding of the nature of alcohol and other drug
abuse, there is a shared perspective among experts in the fields of drug addiction and
child welfare that children are placed at significantly greater risk of abuse and neglect
when parents engage in drug related activity. Years of study and research provide
powerful evidence that alcohol and other drug abuse and drug addiction pose adverse
effects on families and children. As physical addiction to drugs progresses, the extent
of damage from alcohol and other drug abuse reveals itself in various forms, including
physical and emotional deprivation of children, economic mismanagement, loss of
employment, an increased likelihood of domestic violence, and physical/emotional
instability. Parental drug use places children at greater risk of abuse and neglect in the
following ways:
 drug use impairs judgement, decision-making ability and the cognitive
reasoning capacity of the parent, placing children at risk for all forms of
maltreatment;
 drug use may result in erratic, unstable, unpredictable, and potentially
violent, or conversely, non-responsive behavior by parents, placing their
children at greater risk of physical abuse and neglect;
 common characteristics of the alcohol and other drug abusing parent’s
environment impact children’s safety by exposing them to hazardous drug
paraphernalia, other drug using/drug seeking individuals frequenting the
residence, significant others/spouses who may be enabling the parent’s
drug use, and violent domestic relations, posing serious implications as to
the parent’s ability to adequately protect the children;
 in the midst of the effects of drug use, parents significantly decrease their
ability to provide adequate supervision, care and control of their children;
 drug addiction leads to chaotic family functioning, including
mismanagement of financial resources and loss of employment and
income, placing children at greater risk of disruption because of their
inability to meet minimal basic needs of their children (e.g., food, shelter,
clothing).

The Nature of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Addiction
Alcohol and other drug abuse and addiction is a complex and multifaceted problem that
carries with it intense, and often emotional, value judgments toward the user and the
user’s addiction. The tendency is to assign negative character attributes to drug
addicted individuals, labeling them as “bad” people. It is imperative that Social Services
look beyond the social and cultural stereotypes associated with drug addiction, as well
as examining personal attitudes and belief systems about alcohol and other drug abuse.
The impact of alcohol and other drug abuse varies significantly from person to person.
The following characteristics are relatively universal to addiction and chemical
dependence, regardless of the specific substance or substances of choice.
Understanding these concepts will serve as a foundation for effective intervention and
case management.*
 Alcohol and other drug abuse is progressive
Most people do not begin taking a drug with the intent to become
addicted, and they resist the notion that they could ever become
dependent. There are four recognized phases in addiction:
1. experimental use, motivated by curiosity or social pressure,
2. intensified use, indicated by progressively more regular and planned
use that begins to impact the user’s life,
3. habitual use, marks the onset of chemical dependency where the user
has usually developed tolerance to the original drug of choice, and
use is focused more on “getting high” rather than for the social
experience, and
4. dependency, or addiction, evidenced when the user can no longer
manage life without “getting high” and the drug use has pervaded
all areas of life, including work, relationships and finances.
 The earlier a person begins to use drugs, the more likely that person
is to become addicted
Generally, children who are introduced or exposed to drugs while very
young are more susceptible to heavier use and abuse than individuals
whose experimentation begins at a later age. Drugs such as alcohol,
tobacco and marijuana are sometimes referred to as “gateway” drugs
because they are often the drugs children are first introduced to,
preceding the experimentation and use of other drugs.

 Anyone can become an addict
Addiction does not discriminate according to race, socio-economic
status or gender. Some individuals demonstrate higher thresholds
to addiction than others, but exposure to the right substance under
the right circumstances has the potential to lead to chemical
dependence. There are primarily two ways to become an addict:
1. genetic predisposition (four times more likely to become
addicted)
2. long-term, repeated use/exposure to substances
 Alcohol and other drug abuse is a family problem on many
levels
Research indicates that some people are genetically at higher risk
of becoming chemically dependent. But it is also clear that children
learn coping behaviors within the family context and may see drug
use as an accepted means to deal with stress. Additionally, drug
abuse by any member of the family impacts the family system as a
whole, trying to deal with the behavioral, psychological, and
emotional effects of drug use. Although not as obvious as other
types of maltreatment such as physical abuse, parental substance
abuse has a “domino effect” on the emotional and psychological
wellbeing of children. Children of addicts are often put in positions
of having to provide for themselves and other siblings in the home.
Having to take on more parental roles within the family frequently
produces adverse effects on the child’s school performance and
ability to sustain social relationships.
 Denial is intrinsic to the problem
Alcohol and other drug abusers generally deny the drug use or
minimize the drug use. It is not uncommon for family members to
also deny the user’s addiction in an effort to preserve and protect
the family.
 Addiction is systemic
Alcohol and other drug abuse impacts all aspects of the user’s
physical, emotional, work and social life. Health, employment and
relationships are affected.
Social Services Manual Child Protective Services Chapter 2100, Section III
October 1999 Page 4

 Addiction often afflicts those who are already the most
vulnerable
Persons most severely affected by alcohol and other drug abuse
have family histories wrought with multiple stresses including drug
abuse, mental health disorders, child maltreatment and failures in
employment. These individuals, already struggling to cope, are
further impaired by their drug use, posing significant challenges in
the treatment process.
 Polysubstance abuse is common and poses unique risks to
families and children
The use of a combination of alcohol and other drugs is not
uncommon. Some addicts use certain combinations of alcohol and
other drugs to counteract the drug’s effects or to obtain an
enhanced psychoactive state. Research indicates that specific
combinations of drugs possess unique and identifiable physical and
behavioral effects.
 Relapse is inherent to addiction
Relapse is considered part of the recovery process, as is the case
with many diseases. It is important to recognize that an instance of
relapse does not necessarily mean failure. Each instance of
relapse must be assessed and evaluated individually for the impact
on the parent’s level of functioning and the safety of the children.
When possible, a relapse plan should be part of the treatment
process.
* Adapted from “Protecting Children in Substance Abusing
Families,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families, National Center on child
Abuse and Neglect.
Successful intervention for families dealing with alcohol and other drug abuse
begins with an understanding of the nature of drug addiction, the ability to identify
substances and to understand their physical and psychological effects and a
commitment to work collaboratively with other services to support the abusing
person through treatment and into recovery.
October 1999 Page 5

Facts About Alcohol and Other Drugs
The following is a description of commonly used and abused substances. This
information provides basic education, knowledge and reference about specific
drugs and their effects on the body. This list is not all inclusive, and some
categories may overlap.
Alcohol
Alcohol, including beer, wine and hard liquor, is the most commonly used and
widely abused psychoactive drug in the United States. Alcohol is absorbed by
the stomach, enters the bloodstream and goes to all the tissues of the body. The
effects of alcohol are dependent on a variety of factors, including a person’s size,
weight, age and gender, as well as the amount of food and alcohol consumed.
Women are at much greater risk of the effects of alcohol. Research indicates
that women become intoxicated more rapidly and produce less enzymes in their
stomachs to break down alcohol. Women who consume three or more drinks a
day may begin to have health problems that do not occur in men until they have
nine drinks or more. Women also tend to have a higher fat concentration which
keeps alcohol in the body longer. Additionally, estrogen enhances alcohol
absorption, and this poses increased risks to women taking oral contraceptives
or hormone replacement therapy.
Alcohol, even at low doses, significantly impairs the judgment and coordination
required to drive a car safely. Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also
increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including domestic
violence and child abuse. In 1987, 64% of all reported child abuse and neglect
cases in New York City were associated with parental alcohol and drug abuse.
Additionally, alcohol is present in more than 50% of all incidents of domestic
violence. The alcohol content varies between different beverages. Generally,
beer is 4%, wine is 12% and hard liquor is up to 50% alcohol.
Prolonged and excessive use of alcohol can lead to addiction (alcoholism).
Sudden cessation of long-term alcohol intake is likely to produce tremors,
hallucinations and convulsions. Long-term effects of excessive consumption can
result in permanent organ damage to the brain and liver. In addition, mothers
who consume alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal
alcohol syndrome, resulting in mental retardation and other irreversible physical
abnormalities in the infant. Research indicates that children of alcoholic parents
are at greater risk than other children of becoming alcoholics.
October 1999 Page 6

Other Names: beer, wine, wine coolers, malt liquor, booze, hooch, juice,
sauce; users may refer to specific brand names or names of
mixed drinks
Negative Effects: dizziness, slurred speech, disturbed sleep, nausea, vomiting,
hangovers, impaired motor skills, violent behavior, impaired
learning, fetal alcohol syndrome, respiratory depression and
death, addiction
Appearance: liquid
Method of Ingestion: orally
Amphetamines
Amphetamines are stimulants or “uppers,” usually made synthetically in unsafe
illegal labs. They operate by stimulating the central nervous system. Individuals
who use amphetamines experience an exaggerated sense of well-being and high
energy, a release of social inhibitions and feelings of cleverness, competence,
and power. Some users avoid sleep for 3 to 15 days while binging. The effects
resemble those of cocaine, but last longer, generally from 4 to 6 hours depending
on the dose and potency. The term “amphetamine” is used to refer to a large
class of stimulants:
I. Amphetamines: black beauties, white bennies
II. Dextroamphetamines: dexies, beans
III. Methamphetamines: crank, meth, crystal, speed
The different types of amphetamines have such similar chemical compositions
and effects that even experienced users may not be able to tell which drug they
have taken. The drugs can be taken orally, injected, smoked or snorted.
Injecting or smoking leads to an immediate intense sensation (often referred to
as a “rush”) that lasts only a few minutes and is described as extremely
pleasurable. Oral or intra-nasal use produces a milder euphoria (often referred
to as a “high”) rather than a “rush.” Amphetamines taste extremely bitter, and
injection and snorting are painful.
“Ice” is a slang term for smokeable methamphetamine that has a translucent
rock-like appearance and is a highly addictive and toxic form of amphetamine.
Chronic amphetamine use produces a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia
and is characterized by paranoia, picking at the skin, and auditory and visual
October 1999 Page 7

hallucinations. Extremely violent and erratic behavior is frequently seen among
chronic abusers.
Other Names: speed, meth, crank, crystal, ice, uppers, ups, black beauties,
pep pills, copilots, bumblebees, hearts, benzedrine, dexedrine, footballs,
biphetamine, glass, dexies
Negative Effects: irritability, anxiety, increased blood pressure, paranoia,
depression, aggression,, convulsions, dilated pupils and
blurred vision, insomnia, loss of appetite, and
malnutrition/anorexia, nerve cell damage, addiction
Appearance: capsules, pills, tablets, white poser, rock resembling wax,
shards of glass
Method of Ingestion: orally, injected, snorted, or smoked
Cocaine/Crack
Cocaine is a drug extracted from the leaves of the cocoa plant. Although its
effects are similar to those of amphetamines, it is a separate class of drugs. It is
a potent brain stimulant and one of the most powerfully addictive drugs. Cocaine
is distributed in two main forms:
1. cocaine hydrochloride is a white crystalline powder that can be snorted
or dissolved in water and injected, and
2. “crack” is cocaine hydrochloride that has been processed with ammonia
2 or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water into a free base
cocaine. These chips, chunks or rocks can be smoked.
Cocaine is highly addictive. Crack cocaine and injected cocaine reach the brain
quickly and bring an intense and immediate high. Snorted cocaine produces a
high more slowly. Behavioral effects may include a surge in energy, a feeling of
intense pleasure and increased confidence. The effects of powder cocaine last
about 20 minutes. Heavy use of cocaine may produce hallucinations, paranoia,
aggression, insomnia and depression. Cocaine’s effects are short lived, and
once the drug leaves the brain, the user experiences a “coke crash” that includes
depression, irritability and fatigue.
Other Names: coke, snow, nose candy, flake, blow, big C, lady, white,
snowbirds
October 1999 Page 8

Negative Effects: central nervous system stimulation, pupil dilation, elevated
blood pressure, elevated heart rate, increased respiratory
rate, increased body temperature, stuffy or runny nose,
ulceration of the mucous membrane of the nose, AIDS,
hepatitis and other diseases caused by injecting cocaine
with contaminated equipment, insomnia, loss of appetite,
tactile hallucinations, paranoia, seizures, death by cardiac
arrest or respiratory failure, constricted peripheral blood
vessels, feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety,
harm to health and development of infants born to women
who use cocain while pregnant.
Appearance: cocaine is a white crystalline powder; crack has the
appearance of salt, white to tan pellets, or crystalline rocks
that look like soap
Method of Ingestion: cocaine is inhaled or injected; crack is smoked
Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
Ecstasy is a synthetic drug that acts simultaneously as a stimulant and a
hallucinogen. It stimulates the central nervous system and produces
hallucinogenic effects and often produces a sense of well-being, sensory
distortions and long periods of sleeplessness. Ecstasy has been shown to cause
brain damage in animals. It depletes the brain chemical, serotonin, which affects
mood, sleeping and eating habits, thinking processes, aggressive behavior,
sexual impulse and function, and sensitivity to pain. Studies with rats and
monkeys have shown that use of Ecstasy can reduce serotonin levels in the
brain by 90% for at least two weeks.
Ecstasy is derived from methamphetamine and amphetamine, and belongs to a
class of drugs known as designer drugs. A designer drug is created by altering
the molecular structure of an existing drug or drugs to create a new substance.
The street names of designer drugs vary according to time, place, and
manufacturer, and the names change frequently.
Other Names: XTC, X, Adam, MDMA
Negative Effects: psychiatric disturbances, including panic, anxiety,
depression, and paranoid thinking, muscle tension, nausea,
blurred vision, fainting, chills, sweating, increased heart rate,
October 1999 Page 9

increased blood pressure, tremors, hallucinations, reduced
appetite, sleep disturbance
Appearance: tablet, capsule, powder or liquid
Method of Ingestion: swallowed, snorted, smoked or injected
Hallucinogens
LSD is the most common hallucinogen. It is produced from lysergic acid, which
is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. It is commonly
referred to as “acid” and is sold on the street in tablets, capsules or occasionally
in liquid form. It is odorless and colorless with a slightly bitter taste, and it is
usually taken by mouth. Most often, LSD is sold as a “blotter acid” where the
drug is imprinted on small, colorful sheets of paper. A single dose costs around
$4 - $5 and the effects can last from 3 to 12 hours.
Users refer to their experience with LSD as a “trip” and may experience panic,
confusion, suspicion, anxiety and loss of control. Flashbacks can occur even
when use has ceased. Most users of LSD voluntarily decrease or stop its use
over time. LSD is not considered to be an addictive drug, because it does not
produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior like cocaine, amphetamines, heroin
and alcohol.
Other Names: acid, microdot, tabs, doses, trips, hits, or sugar cubes, big D,
purple haze, white lightning
Negative Effects: slowed and slurred speech, slow gait, constricted pupils,
droopy eyelids, impaired potentially devastating psychiatric
effects, elevated body temperature, elevated blood pressure,
suppressed appetite, sleeplessness, tremors, chronic
recurring hallucinations (flashbacks)
Appearance: colored tablets, blotter paper, clear liquid, and thin squares
of gelatin
Method of Ingestion: orally, licked off paper; gelatin and liquid can be put in
the eyes
Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive drug derived from morphine, which is obtained from
the opium poppy. It is a “downer” that affects the brain’s pleasure systems and
October 1999 Page 10

interferes with the brain’s ability to perceive pain. Heroin can be used in a variety
of ways, depending on user preference and the purity of the drug. Heroin can be
injected into a vein (“mainlining”), injected into a muscle, smoked in a water pipe
or standard pipe, mixed in a marijuana joint or regular cigarette, inhaled as
smoke through a straw (known as “chasing the dragon”) or inhaled as powder
through the nose.
Heroin is a fast-acting drug, especially when injected or smoked. Injected heroin
reaches the brain in 15 to 30 seconds. The high from heroin is experienced as
intense pleasure. Users develop high tolerance levels very quickly, requiring
more and more of the drug to reach the same effects.
Other Names: smack, horse, mud, brown sugar, junk, black tar, big H,
dope, stuff, eleven-fifty, Helen, Harry, dynamite, doo-jee,
China-white, Mexican-brown
Negative Effects: slowed and slurred speech, slow gait, constricted pupils,
droopy eyelids, impaired night vision, dry skin, itching, skin
infections, vomiting, constipation, “nodding off,” decreased
sexual pleasure, indifference to sex, sedation proceeding to
coma, respiratory depression, HIV infection from injection,
can impair immune system addiction, reduced appetite,
slow, irregular heart rate, irregular blood pressure, menstrual
irregularity, death from overdose
Appearance: white to dark brown powder or tar-like substance
Method of Ingestion: injected, smoked or inhaled
Inhalants
Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive effects.
They fall into the categories of (1) solvents, (2) nitrites and (3) anesthetics.
These are usually in the form of ordinary household products which are inhaled
or sniffed to get high such as model airplane glue, nail polish remover, hair spray,
gasoline, the propellant in aerosol whipped cream, spray paint, fabric protector,
air conditioner fluid (freon), cooking spray and correction fluid. These products
are sniffed, snorted, bagged (fumes inhaled from a plastic bag) or “huffed”
(inhalant-soaked rag, sock, or roll of toilet paper in the mouth) to achieve a high.
Inhalants are also sniffed directly from the container.

Inhalants produce effects similar to anesthetics which slow the body’s functions.
The user may feel stimulated, disoriented, out-of-control, giddy, light-headed and
even display violent behavior. Inhalant abuse can cause severe damage to the
brain and nervous system, leading to impaired mental and physical functioning.
Because inhalants deprive the body of oxygen, they can lead to
unconsciousness and death, commonly referred to as sudden sniffing death
(SSD).
Other Names: nitrous oxide, laughing gas, whippets, poppers, snappers,
rush, bolt, locker room, bullet, climax, aerosol sprays,
cleaning fluids, solvents
Negative Effects: headache, muscle weakness, abdominal pain, sever mood
swings, and violent behavior, numbness and tingling of the
hands and feet, decrease or loss of sense of smell, nausea,
nosebleeds, liver, lung, and kidney damage, brain damage,
dangerous chemical imbalances in the body, fatigue, lack of
coordination, loss of appetite, decrease in heart and
respiratory rates, hepatitis, weight loss, permanent damage
to the nervous system, seizure, coma, death
Appearance: nitrous oxide comes in a metal cylinder sold in a balloon or
shipped cream aerosol spray can; other inhalants include
common household products like spray paint, gas, paint
thinner and glue
Method of Ingestion: vapors are inhaled
Marijuana
Marijuana is a green or gray mixture of dried, shredded flowers and leaves of the
hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). It is the most often used illegal drug in this
country. Most users roll loose marijuana into a cigarette, called a “joint.” It can
also be smoked in a water pipe, called a “bong.” Some users mix marijuana into
foods or use it to brew tea. A recently new way of smoking marijuana is done by
slicing open a cigar and replacing the tobacco with the marijuana, making what is
called a “blunt.” When the blunt is smoked with a 40 oz. Bottle of malt liquor, it is
called a “B-40.”
All forms of cannabis are mind-altering (psychoactive) drugs, containing THC
(delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). There are approximately 400 chemicals in a
cannabis plant, but THC has the greatest effect on the brain. Most ordinary

marijuana has an average of 3% THC. Sinsemilla, made from just the buds and
flowering tops of female plants, has an average of 7.5% THC with a range as
high as 24%. Hashish, the sticky resin from the female plant flowers, has an
average of 3.6% THC with a range as high as 28%. Hash oil, a tar-like liquid
distilled from hashish, has an average of 16% THC with a range as high as 43%.
Other Names: weed, pot, reefer, grass, dope, ganja, mary jane, sinsemilla,
hash, herb, Aunt Mary, skunk, boom, kif, gangster, chronic
Negative Effects: increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, dry mouth and throat,
impaired or reduced short-term memory, impaired or
reduced comprehension, altered sense of time, reduced
ability to perform tasks requiring concentration and
coordination, altered motivation and cognition, paranoia,
psychological dependence, impaired perception and
judgement, intense anxiety or panic attacks
Appearance: dried parsley with stems and/or seeds which are rolled into
`cigarettes. Hashish looks like brown or black cakes or balls
Method of Ingestion: usually smoked, sometimes eaten
Methamphetamines
D-methamphetamine is a new form of an old drug, amphetamines, which are
central nervous system stimulants. Meth is a crystal-like powdered substance
that sometimes comes in large rock-like chunks. When the powder flakes off the
rock, the shards look like glass, which is another nickname for meth. Meth is
usually white or slightly yellow, depending on the purity. Making and buying
meth is cheaper and longer lasting than cocaine at $25.00 for a four day high.
Meth can be snorted, swallowed, injected or smoked. If smoked or injected,
users report increased energy and motivation, often coupled with a false sense of
invincibility. If snorted or swallowed, the onset is not as extreme and not
accompanied by and initial “rush.”
Scientific research has shown that methamphetamine releases high levels of the
neurotransmitter dopamine, which stimulates brain cells, causing enhanced
mood and increased body movement. Initially, small doses of meth do increase
the ability to concentrate. Meth enables people to work around the clock, often
for days on end. Meth suppresses appetite, and in small doses is used to
clinically treat obesity. Because of this, meth appeals to young women trying to
lose weight.

Meth is addictive, and users develop a tolerance very quickly, requiring higher
and higher doses to get high and going longer and longer binges. Some users
avoid sleep for 3 to 15 days while binging. Prolonged use of meth can result in
symptoms resembling those of schizophrenia and are characterized by paranoia,
hallucinations, repetitive behavior patterns, and delusions of parasites or insects
on the skin. Users often obsessively scratch their skin to get rid of these
imagined insects. Long term use, high dosages, or both can bring on full-blown
toxic psychosis, exhibited by violent and aggressive behavior and extreme
paranoia. As the user comes off a meth binge, behavioral indicators may include
non-purposeful, repetitious, compulsive behavior such as picking at the skin,
pulling out one’s hairs, and compulsive cleaning.
Other Names: speed, meth, crank, crystal, ice (ice cream, batu, shabu),
fire, croak, crypto, white cross, glass, moth, water
Negative Effects: irritability, anxiety, increased blood pressure,
paranoia/psychosis, aggression, nervousness, convulsions,
heart and blood vessel toxicity, insomnia, loss of appetite
and malnutrition/anorexia, hallucinations, addiction
Appearance: white powder, rock resembling glass like shards
Method of Ingestion: orally, injected, snorted, or smoked
PCP
Phencyclidine, or PCP, is a white crystalline powder with a distinctive bitter
chemical taste. PCP appears on the illicit drug market in a variety of tablets,
capsules and colored powders. It is normally used in one to three ways: snorted,
smoked or eaten. When smoked, PCP is often applied to a leafy material such
as mint, parsley, oregano, tobacco or marijuana. When mixed with marijuana, it
is called “crystal supergrass” and “killer joints.” Many people who use PCP may
do it unknowingly, as it is often used as an additive to other drugs such as
marijuana, LSD and methamphetamine. A PCP high generally lasts 2-4 hours,
although the effects can continue as long as a day, and users may experience
after-effects lasting a few days. It was originally developed in 1959 as an
intravenous anesthetic and was later used in veterinary medicine as a powerful
tranquilizer.

Other Names: angel dust, ozone, wack, rocket fuel, peace pill, elephant
tranquilizer, dust, hog, KJ, sherms, embalming fluid
Negative Effects: hallucinations, “out of body” experiences, impaired motor
coordination, inability to feel physical pain, death from
respiratory arrest, depression, anxiety, disorientation, fear,
panic and paranoia, aggressive behavior and violence
Appearance: white crystalline powder, tablets, capsules, colored powders,
liquid
Method of Ingestion: snorted, smoked, eaten, injected
Rohypnol
Rohypnol is the brand name for a drug called Flunitrazepam, a sedative that is
10 times more powerful than Valium. Rohypnol is not legally available for
prescription in the United States, but is available in over 60 countries for
treatment of insomnia. The drug creates a sleepy, relaxed, and drunk feeling
that lasts 2 to 8 hours and a single dose costs from $1.50 to $5.00. “Roofies” are
frequently used in combination with alcohol and other drugs. They are
sometimes taken to enhance a heroin high or to mellow or ease the experience
of coming down from a cocaine or crack high. Used with alcohol, “roofies”
produce disinhibition and amnesia. The drug has no taste or odor. Within 10
minutes of ingestion, the drug may produce effects that include dizziness,
disorientation, sensations of being too hot or too cold, nausea, inability to speak
or move and eventual unconsciousness. Rohypnol has recently gained the
reputation as the “date rape” drug because of the vulnerability of the person who
ingests it.
Other Names: roach, roofies, the forget pill, rope, rophies, ruffies, R2,
roofenol, la roche, rib
Negative Effects: blackouts with complete memory loss, a sense of
fearlessness and aggression, addiction, overdose (rare),
dizziness and disorientation, nausea, difficulty with motor
movements and speech
Appearance: a small white tablet with no taste or odor when dissolved in a
drink
Method of Ingestion: swallowed as a pill, dissolved in a drink, or snorted

Special K
Special K is ketamine hydrochloride, a drug widely used as an animal tranquilizer
by veterinarians. It is produced by drying ketamine until it turns from a liquid to a
powder, and it is a powerful hallucinogen. The drug is usually snorted but is
sometimes sprinkled on tobacco or marijuana and smoked. It is often used in
combination with other drugs such as Ecstasy, heroin and cocaine. Users
sometime call the high caused by Special K “K hole” and describe profound
hallucinations that include visual distortions and a lost sense of time, sense and
identity, lasting anywhere from a half hour to 2 hours.
Other Names: Vitamin K, new Ecstasy, psychadelic heroin, Ketalar,
Ketaject, Super-K, breakfast cereal
Negative Effects: delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, potentially fatal
respiratory problems
Appearance: white powder, similar to cocaine
Method of Ingestion: snorted or smoked

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